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Gilbert died Monday night, the principal's office at Palisades Charter High School confirmed. The school's flag was lowered Tuesday.

“As you all know, her generosity and lasting impact on generations of students is truly legendary,” Palisades Charter High School executive director and principal Pam Magee wrote in an email to faculty. Gilbert taught at the school from the day it opened in 1961.

In her classroom, Gilbert shared her passion for poetry and literature to more than five generations of students. She said in February that she didn't want to leave but decided to do so before she got too old.

Gilbert taught in the Los Angeles Unified School District for 63 years. She started in the 1940s, took a break and returned to the classroom in 1956. She joined Palisades in 1961.

Palisades Charter High School “is fortunate to have been blessed with her dedication, passion and tenacity for more than 50 years,” Magee wrote in her email. “Every day that I encountered Mama G, I was inspired to be a better educator and person, and I know that she had the same impact on many of you.”

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